Suicide is a critical public health issue that touches the lives of individuals and communities across the country, and our district is dedicated to creating a supportive environment where every student feels safe, valued, and heard. Fargo Public Schools is committed to taking proactive steps to prevent suicide and support the mental health of its students. Suicide is preventable, and the our collective efforts can make a difference.

Read more about the importance of suicide prevention awareness in this Feature Column by FPS Assistant Director of Educational Justice Dr. Jen Sahr.

The goal of Fargo Public Schools is to accurately report student proficiency, regardless of how low or slow the student started. This necessitates us to accurately interpret the evidence at hand. We achieve this through our reliable system of evidence-based reporting (EBR), a grading method that diligently monitors and reports learning progress. The ultimate goal of evidence-based reporting is not just to accurately communicate student progress toward mastery of enduring skills, but also to instill a sense of confidence in learners.

Read more about Evidence-Based Reporting in this Feature Column by FPS Director of Standards-Based Instruction Dr. Liann M. Hanson and watch the video below.

When a child's needs are met, they can find success in the classroom and beyond. The Fargo Public Schools Development Foundation and the United Way of Cass-Clay are teaming up for the Beyond the Books Giving Day on September 18 to help meet the needs of students in Fargo Public Schools.

Make a change by donating on the Beyond the Books Giving Day at one of these organizations:

• FPS Development Foundation
• United Way of Cass-Clay

A donation to the United Way of Cass-Clay of:

• $20 provides one child with a backpack of school supplies.
• $50 provides a family 2 nights of stable housing.
• $100 provides one student with food every weekend for a year.

A donation to the FPS Development Foundation of:

• $20 will provide 8 elementary school lunches, or 7 middle and high school lunches.
• $32 will pay for milk for one student per semester.
• $33 will provide 20 pounds of food and basic needs supplies for elementary, middle, and high school food pantries.
• $50 provides snacks for a year for one student.

AD-Ventures is a district publication intended to help families find activities for their children throughout our community. It is published on the first of each month during the school year (September through May).

AD-Ventures for Kids is for youth in grade levels K-5.

AD-Ventures for Teens is for youth in grade levels 6-8.

Fargo Public Schools wants to hear from you! We are conducting a research project to learn what our community thinks about a number of important issues for our school district, including our Long-Range Facilities Plan. FPS has hired an independent research firm, Creative Entourage Research, to gather input, and a representative from that firm will lead input sessions with various community stakeholders. From the input sessions, questions will be developed for a phone and electronic survey of our larger community. Survey results will be presented to the Fargo Board of Education in January to assist them in decision-making for a potential bond referendum to fund the Long-Range Facilities Plan.

A total of 20 current parents of FPS students are needed to participate in an input session on Thursday, October 3 at 6 p.m. at the District Office PD Room, located at 700 7th Street South in Fargo. If more parents volunteer than the session can accommodate, a randomized selection process will occur. Participants must live within the Fargo Public Schools attendance boundary.

To volunteer for this input session, please complete this form. The form will close on Wednesday, September 18 at 7 p.m. All volunteers will be contacted after the form’s closure.

Listening to our community is a high priority for the future of our schools; please volunteer to participate in this important effort! Contact Director of Facilities James Hand at handj@fargo.k12.nd.us with any questions.

Please opt-in to receive text messages from Fargo Public Schools. FPS has switched to a new mass communication system for the 2024-25 school year and you MUST opt-in to receive text messages from FPS. If you do not opt-in, you could miss important information from our school or the District. You can opt-in at any time by texting the word “YES” to 79041.

Students attending school are provided breakfast and lunch through the USDA National School Lunch Program. Students may qualify for federal and state assistance to cover the cost of meals. Households may qualify based on income and size, participation in a federal assistance program (SNAP, etc.) or other criteria. This school year, North Dakota legislature passed a bill that allows families to receive free meals if they fall below 200% of the federal poverty line. Families must submit a Student Fees Assistance and Benefits Application (also known as a Free-and Reduced-Price Meal Application) every year.

If families qualify, households can receive free meals and additional benefits such as:

• Waived (canceled) fees for school related activities such as band rentals, activity fees, exam fees, and others.
• Increase funding to the district for educational programs through Title 1 funding, foundation aid, e-rate for technology grants, and others.

Households wishing to apply for Free or Reduced-Price Meals may apply by submitting a Student Fees Assistance and Benefits Application. It is only necessary to submit one application per household.

For more information about Free or Reduced-Priced Meals or the Student Fees Assistance and Benefits Application, visit the FPS Nutritional Services Department website. If you need assistance with the application, call FPS Nutrition Services at 701.446.1153.

Do we show up in your news feed? Follow Fargo Public Schools on Facebook, Instagram, and X (Twitter) to keep up on all of the exciting things happening across the District and make sure you don't miss out on important announcements!

• Instagram: fargopublicschools
• Facebook: Fargo Public Schools
• X (Twitter): @FargoNDSchools

Students arrived in Fargo Public Schools building for the first day of school last Wednesday, August 28. They prepared for their new classes, saw friends they missed over the summer, and got right back into their school routines. FPS looks forward to a great 2024-25 school year. Take a look inside the first day of school in the video below!

Dakota High School and The Agassiz Building hosted the YouthWorks We've Got You Covered clothing giveaway for students and their families on August 22. The back to school clothing giveaway provided free clothing to 767 children and 489 adults.

Thank you to the Mark Knutson for Kids Legacy Fund for the donation of 1,000 pairs of shoes for elementary students at Fargo Public Schools! The donation was delivered to the FPS Operations Center on August 16, and with the help of FPS Development Foundation volunteers, delivery drivers, and warehouse staff, the shoes were delivered to the elementary school buildings before school started.

North Dakota families have the special opportunity to take part in a series of free, virtual events designed to support and inspire our community, and are especially geared toward teens and young adults. Developed by the creative team behind Rugrats, The Simpsons, and The Wild Thornberrys – My Life is Worth Living tells powerful stories of seven characters overcoming mental health struggles and suicidal thoughts.

Presented by the Cook Center for Human Connection, these family-friendly events will be hosted monthly from September 2024 to May 2025. The first event is September 25 at 6 p.m., covering the topic of “What Parents Need to Know About Suicide Prevention.” View more information and register.

The new school year is in full swing, and the Fargo Board of Education is eager to dive into its critical tasks with new and veteran board members alike. Board President Katie Christensen Mineer urges FPS staff, parents, students, and community members to stay engaged, share their ideas, and continue to support our schools.

Read more about the new school year and the work the Board of Education has ahead of itself in this Board Column by Christensen Mineer.

This newsletter is published weekly on Thursdays during the school year when classes are in session. Material for publication is due by noon on Tuesday of the week of desired publication.

Email: comments@fargo.k12.nd.us
Website: www.fargo.k12.nd.us
Location: 700 7th Street South, Fargo, ND
Phone: 701.446.1000